Memory cell comprising non-self-aligned horizontal and vertical control gates

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a memory cell comprising a vertical selection gate extending in a trench made in a substrate, a floating gate extending above the substrate, and a horizontal control gate extending above the floating gate, wherein the floating gate also extends above a portion of the vertical selection gate over a non-zero overlap distance. Application mainly to the production of a split gate memory cell programmable by hot-electron injection.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to split gate memory cells eachcomprising a selection transistor section and a floating-gate transistorsection. The selection transistor section comprises a selection gate andthe floating-gate transistor section comprises a floating gate and acontrol gate.

2. Description of the Related Art

So-called “split gate” memory cells are conventionally programmed byhot-electron injection (or “hot-carrier injection”). Compared totunnel-effect programming, programming by hot electrons has theadvantage of being short, generally 100 times shorter than tunnel-effectprogramming. The programming time of a memory cell by hot-electroninjection is typically in the order of a few microseconds compared to afew milliseconds for tunnel-effect programming.

During hot-electron programming, the two transistor sections of thememory cell cooperate in order to inject electric charges into thefloating gate. The selection transistor section has a conductive channelin which a current appears, which comprises high kinetic energyelectrons, referred to as “hot electrons”. When this current reaches theconductive channel of the floating-gate transistor section, an injectionzone appears where the high energy electrons are injected into thefloating gate under the effect of a transverse electric field created bythe voltage applied to the control gate.

FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of a conventional split gate memory cellC1_(i,j) in a word line WL_(i) of a memory array. The selection gate SGof the selection transistor ST section of the memory cell is connectedto a selection line SL_(i) and the control gate CG of the floating-gatetransistor FGT section is connected to a control gate line CGL_(i). Thedrain D of the selection transistor section is connected to a bit lineBL_(j) and the source S of the floating-gate transistor FGT section isconnected to a source line SCL_(i). The selection SL_(i), control gateCGL_(i) and source SCL_(i) lines are parallel and linked to all thememory cells of the word line. The bit line BL_(j) is transverse to thelines SL_(i), CGL_(i), SCL_(i) and is also connected to memory cellsbelonging to other word lines (not represented).

The selection line SL_(i) receives a selection voltage VS_(i), thecontrol gate line CGL_(i) receives a gate voltage VG_(i) and the sourceline SCL_(i) receives a source voltage VSC. The voltage VG is generallyhigh, for example 10V, to generate in the channel of the floating-gatetransistor FGT section a transverse electric field favoring theinjection of electrons into the floating gate. Voltage VSC issufficiently high, for example 4V, to ensure the conduction of thememory cell. Voltage VS is generally set at a value greater than thethreshold voltage of the selection transistor section, for examplebetween 1V and 3V. A programming current passes through the memory celland the bit line BL_(j). A flow of electrons circulating in the oppositedirection to the current passes through the channel of the selectiontransistor section until it reaches the injection point into the channelof the floating-gate transistor section.

Offsetting their good injection performance, split gate memory cellshave the disadvantage of occupying more semiconductor surface thanconventional flash memory cells, also programmed by hot-electroninjection but comprising only one control gate.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,441 discloses a so-called “split gate” memory cellthe selection transistor section of which is arranged vertically toreduce the footprint of the memory cell. FIG. 2 corresponds to FIG. 7 ofthat document and shows a cross-section of the structure of such amemory cell. The numerical references in FIG. 2 are those of theoriginal FIG. 7 of the aforementioned document. The memory cell C2 shownin FIG. 2 comprises a trench etched in a substrate (27) after forming afloating gate FG (28) made of polysilicon (polycrystalline silicon)above the substrate. The trench has then been covered with an oxidelayer (200 a, 200 b). A conductive layer made of polysilicon (26) hasthen been deposited on the entire memory cell. The conductive layer (26)has a portion extending in the trench and forming a vertical selectiongate SG, a portion extending over the floating gate FG (28) forming ahorizontal control gate CG, the rest of the conductive layer forming aselection line SL of the memory cell. A doped region (21) implanted inthe substrate forms a bit line BL and doped regions (20) implanted atthe bottom of the trench form “source bit lines” SBL that are parallelto the bit line BL (21). The memory cell C2 thus comprises a selectiontransistor ST section having a vertical channel of length L1, and afloating-gate transistor FGT section having a horizontal channel oflength L2, which cooperate to form a transistor having a channel oflength L1+L2. The control CG and selection SG gates of the twotransistor FGT, ST sections are formed by the same conductive layer (26)and therefore form a single component. The memory cell C2 is formedtogether with a memory cell CT linked to the same selection line SL (26)and to the same bit line BL (21), but to a different “source bit line”SBL′ (20).

As shown in FIG. 3, this structure of memory cell C2, C2′ has a memoryarray architecture that differs greatly from the conventionalarchitecture shown in FIG. 1. The sources S of the selection transistorST sections of the two twin memory cells are connected to the “sourcebit lines” SBL (20), SBL′ (20) that are parallel to the bit line BL(21). The selection line SL (26), and the gates SG (26) and CG (26) ofthe memory cells are at the same electric potential, the gates SG and CGthus forming a single selection/control gate.

This memory cell structure offers a low footprint thanks to the verticalarrangement of the selection transistor section. On the other hand, itinvolves a multiplication of the number of source lines, in the form of“source bit lines” SBL, thus entailing a multiplication of the means forswitching voltages in the memory array. For example, a word linecomprising 1,024 memory cells will have 512 bit lines and 1,024 “sourcebit lines” parallel to the bit lines, compared to 1,024 bit lines and asingle source line in a conventional architecture of the type shown inFIG. 1.

Furthermore, as the control CG and selection SG gates have the sameelectric potential as they are formed by the same polysilicon layer(26), it is not possible to apply different voltages to them to optimizethe injection performance with the efficiency offered by a conventionalsplit gate memory cell of the type represented in FIG. 1.

Finally, the gate oxide 200 a that covers the trench is formed at thesame time as a lateral oxide 200 b that isolates the selection gate SGfrom the floating gate FG. It is not therefore possible to separatelycontrol the thickness of the gate oxide 200 a and that of the lateraloxide 200 b. This manufacturing method thus offers little flexibilityfor the control of the electrical characteristics of the memory cell, inparticular its injection performance, its threshold voltage in thevertical channel region L1, and its breakdown voltage.

It could thus be desirable to provide an enhanced split gate memory cellstructure, and a method of manufacturing such a memory cell.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure thus relate to a memory cellformed on a semiconductor substrate, comprising a vertical selectiongate extending in a trench made in the substrate, a floating gateextending above the substrate, and a horizontal control gate extendingabove the floating gate, wherein the floating gate also extends above aportion of the vertical selection gate, over a non-zero overlapdistance.

According to one embodiment, the trench is covered with a dielectriclayer comprising a thicker region near the surface of the substrate.

According to one embodiment, the floating gate has a protuberance whichextends beneath the surface of the substrate in the thicker region ofthe dielectric layer, and has a face opposite a portion of the verticalselection gate.

According to one embodiment, the memory cell comprises a verticalchannel region extending opposite the selection gate and electricallylinked to an embedded layer forming a collective source plane forcollecting programming currents for programming the memory cell andmemory cells formed on the same substrate.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to a group ofmemory cells comprising a first and a second memory cell according tothe present disclosure, sharing the same vertical selection gate.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to a memorycircuit, comprising a memory array comprising a plurality of memorycells.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to a memorycircuit comprising a memory cell according to the present disclosure,and means for programming the memory cell by hot-electron injectionconfigured to apply electric potentials to the substrate, to thevertical selection gate, to the horizontal control gate and to drain andsource regions of the memory cell, such that electrons circulate in avertical channel region extending opposite the selection gate and areinjected into the floating gate in an injection zone situated in ahorizontal channel region extending opposite the floating gate.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to a memorycircuit comprising a memory cell according to the present disclosure andmeans for erasing the memory cell by tunnel effect configured to applyelectric potentials to the vertical selection gate and the horizontalcontrol gate of the memory cell, such that electric charges areextracted from the floating gate and collected by the vertical selectiongate through the protuberance of the floating gate and the dielectricmaterial extending between the protuberance and the vertical selectiongate.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to a method ofmanufacturing on a semiconductor substrate an electrically programmablememory cell, comprising the steps of: etching a trench in the substrate,depositing in the trench a first dielectric layer, depositing on thesubstrate a first conductive layer and etching the first conductivelayer to form a vertical selection gate extending in the trench,depositing on the substrate a second dielectric layer, depositing on thesecond dielectric layer a second conductive layer, and etching thesecond conductive layer so as to form a floating gate, the secondconductive layer being etched so that the floating gate partiallyoverlaps the vertical selection gate over a non-zero overlap distance.

According to one embodiment, the second conductive layer is etched froma photolithography layout defining between the proximal edge of thefloating gate and the corresponding proximal edge of the verticalselection gate a theoretical overlap distance at least equal to aphotolithography tolerance of the manufacturing method.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises a preliminary step ofimplanting in the substrate a conductive plane forming a source line forthe memory cell.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises a step of producing inthe dielectric layer covering the trench, a thicker region situated nearthe surface of the substrate.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises a step of making ahollow in the thicker region of the dielectric layer.

According to one embodiment, the hollow is formed so as to extendbeneath the surface of the substrate and so that the floating gate has aprotuberance extending in the hollow and having a face opposite aportion of the vertical selection gate.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises steps of depositing athird dielectric layer on the second conductive layer and of depositinga third conductive layer on the third dielectric layer, and a step ofsimultaneously etching the third conductive layer and the secondconductive layer, to form a horizontal control gate on the floatinggate.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit on a semiconductor wafer, includingthe method of manufacturing a memory cell according to the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These objects and features of the present disclosure will be betterunderstood in the light of the following description of embodiments of amethod of manufacturing a memory cell according to the presentdisclosure, and of examples of memory cells produced according to thismethod, given in relation with, but not limited to, the followingfigures in which:

FIG. 1 described above shows a conventional memory array architecturecomprising split gate memory cells,

FIG. 2 described above is a cross-section of a conventional split gatememory cell having a vertical selection gate,

FIG. 3 described above shows a memory array architecture receiving thememory cell in FIG. 2,

FIGS. 4 to 18 are cross-sections showing steps of a method ofmanufacturing a memory cell according to the present disclosure,

FIGS. 19A to 19C show memory cells produced with this method,

FIGS. 20 and 21 show complementary steps of manufacturing an integratedcircuit comprising a memory cell according to the present disclosure,

FIG. 22 shows a method of programming a memory cell according to thepresent disclosure,

FIG. 23 shows a method of erasing a memory cell according to the presentdisclosure,

FIGS. 24 and 25 show another method of erasing a memory cell accordingto the present disclosure,

FIG. 26 shows a memory array architecture comprising a memory cellaccording to the present disclosure, and

FIG. 27 shows an example of a memory circuit comprising memory cellsaccording to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 4 to 18 are cross-sections showing steps of a method ofmanufacturing a memory cell according to the present disclosure. FIGS.13A and 13B show two alternatives of a step of this method. FIGS. 14A to14C and 15A to 15C show three alternatives of two other steps of thismethod. FIGS. 19A to 19C show the three alternatives C31, C32, C33 of amemory cell C3 according to the present disclosure produced with thismethod and its alternatives.

The memory cell C3 (C31, C32, C33) shown in FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19Ccomprises a floating gate FG formed on a substrate PW, a horizontalcontrol gate CG extending over the floating gate FG, and a selectiongate SG formed in a trench 10 made in the substrate, the trench beingcovered with a dielectric layer D1. The memory cell C3 is here producedat the same time as a twin memory cell C3′ (C31′, C32′, C33′) using thesame selection gate SG.

According to the present disclosure, the floating gate FG extends abovea portion of the selection gate SG. The distance Dov between theproximal edge of the floating gate FG and the corresponding proximaledge of the selection gate SG is here negative, and is referred to as“overlap distance” below.

The alternatives C31, C32 (FIG. 19A, 19B) of the memory cell C3 furthercomprise, in the dielectric layer D1, a thicker region D1′, situatednear the surface of the substrate PW. In the embodiment represented, thethickness of the region D1′ increases as it approaches the surface ofthe substrate and, seen in cross-section, it has a profile substantiallyin the shape of a “V”, the dielectric layer D1 having a correspondingprofile substantially in the shape of a “Y”. As a numerical example, thedielectric layer D1 has a thickness in the order of 5 to 10 nm(nanometers), and the region D1′ has a thickness in the order of 15 to20 nm without its portion close to the surface of the substrate.

Furthermore, the lower face of the floating gate FG of the alternativeC31 of the memory cell C3 comprises a protuberance p15 which extendsbeneath the surface of the substrate PW, in the region D1′ of the layerD1, and has a face opposite a portion of the selection gate SG.

FIG. 4 shows a preliminary stage of producing the memory cell C3. A deepdoped layer NL has been implanted in a semiconductor substrate wafer WF.This layer is for example the N-type isolation layer of a P-type wellforming the substrate PW in which the memory cell is produced. Thislayer will serve as source line SCL for all the memory cells implantedin the substrate PW, more precisely a collective source plane, capableof collecting the programming currents for programming several memorycells. STI-type (Shallow Trench Isolation) shallow isolating trenches,not visible in FIG. 4 because they are situated in a cutting planeparallel to that of the figure, may have been made on the surface of thesubstrate, in the framework of collective manufacturing of several rowsof memory cells. A sacrificial oxide layer SOX has then been depositedon the surface of the substrate PW.

During a step shown in FIG. 5, a hard mask HM1 is formed on the oxidelayer SOX, by depositing or growing one or more solid layers, forexample made of silicon oxide or silicon nitride or a combination ofthese materials. A light-sensitive resin mask PH is then deposited onthe mask HM1, and then developed so as to form an opening 1 in the maskPH.

During a step the result of which is shown in FIG. 6, the mask HM1 hasbeen etched through the resin mask PH so as to form a correspondingopening 1 in the mask HM1, and the mask PH has then been removed.

During a step shown in FIG. 7, the trench 10 is formed in the substratePW by etching the latter through the opening 1 of the mask HM1. Theetching method used is preferably a non-selective and anisotropic dryetching method, such as a plasma etching method. The depth of the trenchis here less than the depth of implantation of the doped layer NL. As anumerical example, the trench has a depth of 450 nm and the layer NL isimplanted at 750 nm from the surface of the substrate.

During a step shown in FIG. 8, a deep doped pocket n0 is implanted inthe substrate through the trench 10, in the vicinity of the bottom ofthe trench 10. The pocket nO extends up to the doped layer NL and willbe used as source region for the memory cell being formed, whereas thedoped layer NL will be used as source line SCL in the continuation ofthe source region n0. In one alternative embodiment, the pocket n0 isnot implanted and the trench 10 is etched to a greater depth so as toreach the layer NL, which will then be used as source region and sourceline.

During a step shown in FIG. 9, the dielectric layer D1 is formed on thewalls of the trench 10, for example by growing oxide.

During a step shown in FIG. 10, a conductive layer P1, for example madeof polysilicon, is deposited on the entire substrate, as well as insidethe trench 10.

During a step shown in FIG. 11, the layer P3 is etched so as not toremain on the surface of the substrate, except inside the trench 10where it forms the selection gate SG. This step includes thesimultaneous etching of the sacrificial oxide layer SOX, or is followedby a step of wet etching the layer SOX.

Next steps, shown on FIGS. 12, 13A, 13B, produce the thicker region D1′in the dielectric layer D1 of the cells C31 (FIG. 19A) and C32 (FIG.19B).

In the step shown in FIG. 12, a high voltage dielectric layer DHV isdeposited on the entire substrate, here by growing a thermal oxide suchas silicon dioxide SiO₂, for example over a thickness in the order of 10to 15 nm. This deposit can be carried out in one or more steps and theoxide formed partly comes from the oxidation of the material forming thesubstrate PW, here silicon. This oxidation produces the region D1′ inthe vicinity of the surface of the substrate, firstly by oxidation ofthe material of the substrate which is opposite the trench 10, heresilicon, and secondly by oxidation of the material forming the verticalgate SG, here polysilicon. An equal oxidation of the silicon and of thepolysilicon on either side of the dielectric layer D1 leads to thesubstantially V shape of the region D1′. The duration of this oxidationstep, the thickness of the layer DHV, and the conditions of itsimplementation enable the depth and the width of the region D1′ to becontrolled.

It will be noted that this step is optional in relation to the method ofmanufacturing the memory cell, but can be desirable in the framework ofthe simultaneous production of high voltage transistors present in otherparts of the circuit into which the memory cell is integrated.

In the step shown on any one of FIGS. 13A, 13B, the dielectric layer DHVis removed by etching, for example by means of a so-called “BOE”technique (“Buffered Oxide Etch”) using hydrofluoric acid (HF). Thisentails a partial removal of the dielectric from the region D1′, leadingto the appearance of a hollow 15 (FIG. 13A) or a hollow 16 (FIG. 13B)the depth of which depends on the conditions in which this etching stepis implemented, and can be controlled by those skilled in the art. Thus,in the examples of embodiments represented, the region D1′ of the memorycell C31 being formed (FIG. 13A) has a hollow 15 which extends oppositethe embedded gate SG, beneath the surface of the substrate. The hollowis here in the form of a tip, due to the “V” shape of the region D1′.However, the region D1′ of the memory cell C32 being formed (FIG. 13B)only has a superficial hollow 16.

In the step shown on any one of FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, a tunnel dielectriclayer D2, for example silicon oxide, is deposited on the entiresubstrate, for example over a thickness in the order of 7 to 10 nm.

FIG. 14A shows the profile of the region D1′ after depositing thedielectric layer D2 on the memory cell being formed C31. The hollow 15is only partially filled by the dielectric D2 and still extends oppositethe embedded vertical gate SG, beneath the surface of the substrate.FIG. 14B shows the profile of the region D1′ after depositing thedielectric layer D2 on the memory cell being formed C32. The superficialhollow 16 is almost completely filled by the dielectric D2. FIG. 14Cshows the profile of the layer D2 after it has been deposited on thememory cell being formed C33. The substrate of the memory cell C33, asshown in FIG. 11, has not undergone the step of depositing high voltagedielectric and thus does not comprise the region D1′.

In the step shown on any one of FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, a conductive layerP2, for example made of polysilicon, is deposited on the entiresubstrate.

FIG. 15A shows the profile of the layer P2 after being deposited on thememory cell being formed C31. The lower face of the layer P2 has theabove-mentioned protuberance p15 which extends in the hollow 15 beneaththe surface of the substrate, and has a face opposite a portion of theselection gate SG. FIG. 15B shows the profile of the layer P2 afterbeing deposited on the memory cell being formed C32. The lower face ofthe layer P2 has a protuberance p16 the extent of which is slight andwhich extends in the superficial hollow 16. FIG. 15C shows the profileof the layer P2 after being deposited on the memory cell being formedC33. In this embodiment, the lower face of the layer P2 has noirregularity. Below, the protuberance p16 will be consideredinsignificant and the memory cell C32 will be considered equivalent tothe memory cell C33.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show next steps of manufacturing the cell C3. Thememory cell represented is the cell C31 but these steps are also appliedto the memory cells C32, C33, that are not represented for the sake ofsimplicity.

In the step shown in FIG. 16, the layer D2 is covered with a dielectriclayer D3, for example a so-called “interpoly” ONO-type oxide(oxide-nitride-oxide). The layer D3 is then covered with a conductivelayer P3, here made of polysilicon, and the layer P3 is then coveredwith a hard mask HM2.

In the step shown in FIG. 17, the hard mask HM2 is etched byphotolithography so as to keep only two portions of mask HM2-1, HM2-2corresponding to the gate stack FG/CG to be produced.

In the step shown in FIG. 18, the layers D2, P2, D3 and P3 are etched byanisotropic dry etching. The regions protected by the portions of maskHM2-1, HM2-2 are not etched and form the gate stack FG/CG comprising thetunnel dielectric layer D2, the floating gate FG, the dielectric layerD3, and the control gate CG.

The positioning of the portions of mask HM2-1, HM2-2 determines theposition of the gate stack FG/CG in relation to the vertical gate SG.This positioning is determined when designing the photolithographylayout of the memory cell. For this purpose, the designer defines atheoretical overlap distance Dovt corresponding to the targeted overlapdistance Dov taking into account a tolerance “T” of the manufacturingmethod. The overlap distance obtained Dov is equal to the theoreticaloverlap distance Dovt plus or minus this tolerance, and thus ranges inthe open interval]Dovt−T; Dovt+T[ (the tolerance T considered here beinga limit error that is deemed not reached by the manufacturing method).

According to one embodiment, the theoretical overlap distance is Dovt=T,to obtain an overlap distance Dov within the interval]0; 2T[. In otherwords, the memory cells produced have, between the proximal edge of thegate stack FG/CG and the corresponding proximal edge of the verticalgate SG, an overlap distance Dov ranging from a value close to zero to avalue close to 2T, the value close to zero corresponding to an almostperfect alignment of the gate stack with the vertical gate SG.

As an example, with a manufacturing method enabling a floating gate FGto be produced with a length in the order of 120 to 150 nm, a typicaltolerance value T is in the order of 20 nm, and the width of thevertical gate SG is in the order of 150 to 300 nm. The overlap distanceDov is then within the interval of 0-40 nm.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C described above represent the three alternativesC31, C32, C33 of the memory cell C3 obtained after steps of finalizingthe manufacturing method, such as removing the portions of mask HM2-1,HM2-2 and depositing a lateral dielectric layer D4 on the vertical wallsof the gate stack FG/DG.

These steps can be followed by complementary steps that produce a fullyintegrated circuit. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the regions n1 ofthe twin cells C3, C3′ can be linked to a bit line BL produced in afirst level of metal or “metal 1”, through a conductive via V1 passingthrough a dielectric layer D5 covering the memory cells. Similarly, theselection gate SG can be linked to a selection line SL formed in asecond level of metal or “metal 2” through a set of conductive vias V2passing through the dielectric layer D5 and through a dielectric layerD6 covering the level of metal “metal 1”.

As shown in FIG. 21, the doped layer NL as source line SCL_(i) here asource plane, can be linked by conductive vias V3 to a set of surfacecontacts enabling a source line potential to be applied to the layer NL.

FIG. 22 shows a method of programming the memory cell C3 by hot-electroninjection. The memory cell represented is the cell C33 but the method isapplicable to the other alternatives C31, C32 of the memory cell. Theregion n1 forms a drain region and receives a positive drain voltageVD1, for example 4V. The control gate CG receives a positive programmingvoltage VG11, for example 10V. The selection gate SG receives a positiveselection voltage VS1, for example between 1 and 3V. The doped layer NLreceives a zero-value source voltage VSC1 (ground of the circuit). Thetwin memory cell C3′, that is connected to the same bit line and thusalso receives the voltage VD1, receives on its control gate CG anegative or zero program-inhibit voltage VG12, for example between −2Vand 0V.

The bias of the gates CG, SG causes the appearance in the memory cell C3of a horizontal channel region CH1 extending beneath the floating gateFG, of a vertical channel region CH2 extending opposite the selectiongate SG, and of a region CR common to the channel regions CH1, CH2,enabling the latter to cooperate in the hot-electron injectionprogramming process. A current circulates from the drain (n1) to thesource (n0) of the memory cell. A flow of electrons circulates in theopposite direction to this current. The flow of electrons passes throughthe vertical channel region CH2 extending opposite the gate SG, passesthrough the common region CR beneath the floating gate, then passesthrough the channel region CH1 to join the drain region n1. Hotelectrons present in the flow of electrons are injected into thefloating gate FG, under the effect of a transverse electric fieldcreated by the voltage VG11, in an injection zone located in the channelregion CH2 and more particularly in the common region CR or near thelatter.

FIG. 23 shows a channel erase method of erasing the memory cell C3. Thememory cell represented is the cell C33 but the method is applicable tothe alternatives C31, C32 of the memory cell. The region n1 receives azero-value drain voltage VD2. The control gate CG receives a negativeerase voltage VG21, for example −10V. The selection gate SG receives apositive selection voltage VS2, for example 5V. The doped layer NLreceives a positive source voltage VSC2, for example 5V. The substratePW is thus taken to a voltage VB equal to the voltages VS2 and VSC2, forexample 5V. Electrons are extracted from the floating gate FG throughthe substrate and are collected by the source line NL/SCL. The twinmemory cell C3′ receives on its control gate CG a positive erase-inhibitvoltage VG22, for example 2.5V.

FIG. 24 shows an erasing method according to the present disclosure forerasing the memory cell C31, performed through the vertical gate SG.This method is applicable only to the cell C31 and uses the protuberancep15 of the floating gate FG. The region n1 receives a zero-value drainvoltage VD3. The control gate CG receives a negative erase voltage VG31,for example −10V. The selection gate SG receives a positive selectionvoltage VS3, for example 5V. The doped layer NL here receives azero-value source voltage VSC3. The voltage VB of the substrate PW isthus zero. The twin memory cell C33′ receives on its control gate CG anerase-inhibit voltage VG32 that is not necessarily positive and can bezero due to the fact that the voltage VB is itself zero.

Under the effect of the voltage VS3, electrons are extracted from thefloating gate FG by the vertical gate SG, and are collected by the wordline to which the latter is connected. This process is shown in greaterdetail in FIG. 25. Between the protuberance p15 and the vertical gate SGextends a dielectric material that is part of the region D1′ and whichpartly comprises dielectric material of the dielectric layer D2, and acomposite dielectric material D12 that comprises the original dielectricmaterial of the layer D1 combined with remainders of the high voltagedielectric material DHV. The distance between the protuberance p15 andthe gate SG, in the order of a few tens of nanometers, enables thetunnel effect to appear between these two elements.

This gate SG erase method has various advantages in relation to thechannel erase method. In particular, the erasing is not performedthrough the same dielectric region as the programming, which decreasesthe electrical stress of the dielectric material and its ageing.Furthermore, the twin memory cell does not undergo any erase stress(slow spurious erasure) due to the fact that the substrate voltageremains zero, unlike the channel erase method.

It will be noted that the cutting plane in FIG. 20, and generallyspeaking the cutting plane in FIGS. 4 to 19, 22 to 25, is perpendicularto the cutting plane in FIG. 2. In FIG. 20, the bit line BL is parallelto the cutting plane whereas the bit line (21) in FIG. 2 isperpendicular to the cutting plane. Similarly, the selection line SL isperpendicular to the cutting plane in FIG. 20 and the selection line,formed by the gate material (26), is parallel to the cutting plane inFIG. 2. Lastly, the multiple “source bit lines” (20) in the memory cellstructure in FIG. 2 are replaced, for a memory cell structure accordingto the present disclosure, with the doped layer NL forming a source lineSCL and more precisely a source plane for all the memory cells implantedin the same well PW, and capable of collecting the programming currentsfor programming several memory cells. The memory cell structureaccording to the present disclosure thus leads to a simpler hot-electroninjection programmable memory array architecture than the architectureof the memory cell structure in FIG. 2.

FIG. 26 shows such a memory array architecture. Only two pairs of twinmemory cells C3_(i,j), C3_(i+1,j) are represented, respectivelyC3_(i,j+1), C3_(i+1,j+1). The memory cells C3_(i,j), C3_(i,j+1) belongto a word line WL_(i) and the memory cells C3_(i+1,j), C3_(i+1,j+1)belong to a twin word line WL_(i+1). The selection gates SG of theselection transistor ST sections of the memory cells are linked to thesame selection line SL_(i,i+1) and the sources S of the four memorycells are linked to the same source line SCL (formed by the embeddedlayer NL). The control gates CG of the floating-gate transistor FGTsections of the memory cells C3_(i,j) and C3_(i+1,j) are connected to acontrol gate line CGL_(i), and the control gates CG of the memory cellsC3_(i+1,j) and C3_(i+1,j+1) are connected to a control gate lineCGL_(i+1). The drains of the twin memory cells C3_(i,j), C3_(i+1,j) arelinked to a bit line BL_(j) and the drains of the twin memory cellsC3_(i,j+1), C3_(i+1,j+1) are linked to a bit line BL_(j+1).

The memory array thus only comprises one bit line per vertical row ofmemory cells. Each word line WL_(i), WL_(i+1) only comprises one controlgate line CGL_(i), CGL_(i+1) and one selection line SL_(i,i+1) common tothe twin word line. The bit line BL_(j) receives a drain voltage VD_(j)and the bit line BL_(j+1) receives a drain voltage VD_(j+1). The controlgate line CGL_(i) receives a gate voltage VG_(i) and the control gateline CGL_(i+1) receives a gate voltage VG_(i+1). The selection lineSL_(i,i+1) receives a selection voltage VS_(i,i+1). The common sourceline SCL_(i) here a source plane, receives the source voltage VSC.

The memory array thus comprises a small number of interconnection linesand its structure is similar to that of a memory array of the type shownin FIG. 1, while benefiting firstly from the advantage offered by amemory cell having a vertical selection transistor section, in terms offootprint, and secondly from the advantage offered by having distinctcontrol and selection gates for the optimization of the programmingprocess.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the methodaccording to the present disclosure is susceptible of various otheralternative embodiments and applications. In particular, although thedescription above was of the formation of two twin memory cells, oneembodiment of the method according to the present disclosure can aim toproduce “unit” memory cells, i.e., without any twin memory cell sharingthe same vertical selection gate SG.

Conversely, some embodiments may include the collective and simultaneousproduction of one or more rows of twin memory cells, for example in theframework of the production of an electrically programmable and erasablememory circuit MEM1 of the type shown in FIG. 27.

The circuit MEM1 is fabricated on a semiconductor wafer and forms anintegrated circuit IC. It comprises twin word lines WL_(i), WL_(i+i) ofthe type shown in FIG. 26, fabricated on the substrate PW, two twin wordlines WL_(i), WL_(i+1) comprising twin memory cells sharing the sameselection line SL_(i,i+1). The selection lines SL and the control gatelines CGL are linked to a word line decoder WLDEC which applies memorycell erase, program and read voltages thereto. The bit lines BLconnected to the drain regions n1 of the memory cells are linked to aset of programming latches BLT and to a set of sense amplifiers SAthrough a column decoder CDEC. These elements are linked to a controlcircuit CCT which ensures the sequencing of programming and erasingoperations conforming to one of the methods described above.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a memory cellaccording to the present disclosure is susceptible of being produced inother fields of technology, the materials mentioned in the descriptionabove, in particular the silicon, silicon dioxide and polysilicon, beingmerely examples.

Similarly, the method described above, of forming the region D1′ of thedielectric layer D1 and of forming the protuberance p15, is only oneexample of an embodiment. Other techniques can enable a floating gate FGto be produced that comprises a protuberance enabling the memory cell tobe erased through the selection gate. The method described merely hasthe advantage of not requiring any additional manufacturing step toproduce the protuberance, when a high voltage dielectric material isdeposited on the substrate for the simultaneous production of highvoltage transistors.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. These and other changes can be made to theembodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, inthe following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limitthe claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specificationand the claims, but should be construed to include all possibleembodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by thedisclosure.

The invention is:
 1. A memory cell, comprising: a vertical selectiongate extending in a trench made in a semiconductor substrate; a floatinggate extending on the substrate; a horizontal control gate extendingabove the floating gate, wherein the floating gate has a protuberancewhich extends beneath an upper surface of the substrate; and a firstdielectric layer positioned within the substrate and between theprotuberance of the floating gate and the vertical selection gate. 2.The memory cell according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric layerincludes a thinner region that covers walls of the trench and a thickerregion near the upper surface of the substrate.
 3. The memory cellaccording to claim 2, wherein the protuberance extends beneath thesurface of the substrate in the thicker region of the dielectric layer,and has a face opposite a portion of the vertical selection gate.
 4. Thememory cell according to claim 1, comprising: a vertical channel regionextending opposite the selection gate; and an embedded layer forming acollective source plane for collecting programming currents forprogramming the memory cell and other memory cells formed on the samesubstrate, the embedded layer being electrically coupled to the verticalchannel region.
 5. The memory cell according to claim 1, comprising: asecond dielectric layer covering side walls of the control and floatinggates and extending vertically above the vertical selection gate; and anelectrical contact extending vertically along the second dielectriclayer and in contact with the vertical selection gate.
 6. The memorycell according to claim 1, wherein the floating gate extends above aportion of the vertical selection gate, over a non-zero overlap distancefrom a first plane, aligned with a side edge of the floating gate andextending through an interior of the vertical selection gate, to asecond plane aligned with a side edge of the vertical selection gate. 7.A circuit, comprising: a first memory cell that includes a firstfloating gate extending on a semiconductor substrate and a horizontalfirst control gate extending above the first floating gate, wherein thefirst floating gate has a first protuberance which extends beneath anupper surface of the substrate; and a second memory cell that includes asecond floating gate extending on a semiconductor substrate and ahorizontal second control gate extending above the second floating gate,wherein the second floating gate has a second protuberance which extendsbeneath the upper surface of the substrate; a vertical selection gateextending in a trench in the substrate and between the first and secondprotuberances; a first dielectric layer portion positioned within thesubstrate and between the first protuberance and a first side of thevertical selection gate; and a second dielectric layer portionpositioned within the substrate and between the second protuberance anda second side of the vertical selection gate.
 8. The circuit accordingto claim 7, wherein the first and second dielectric layer portions arepart of a first dielectric layer that includes a thinner region thatcovers walls of the trench and first and second thicker regions near theupper surface of the substrate.
 9. The circuit according to claim 8,wherein the first protuberance extends beneath the surface of thesubstrate in the first thicker region of the first dielectric layer, andhas a face opposite a first portion of the vertical selection gate andthe second protuberance extends beneath the surface of the substrate inthe second thicker region of the first dielectric layer, and has a faceopposite a second portion of the vertical selection gate.
 10. Thecircuit according to claim 7, comprising: a first vertical channelregion extending opposite the first side of the vertical selection gate;a second vertical channel region extending opposite the second side ofthe vertical selection gate; and an embedded layer forming a collectivesource plane for collecting programming currents for programming thememory cell and other memory cells formed on the same substrate, theembedded layer being electrically coupled to the first and secondvertical channel regions.
 11. The circuit according to claim 7,comprising: a second dielectric layer covering side walls of the firstcontrol gate and first floating gate and extending vertically above thevertical selection gate; a third dielectric layer covering side walls ofthe second control gate and second floating gate and extendingvertically above the vertical selection gate; and an electrical contactextending vertically along and between the second and third dielectriclayers and in contact with the vertical selection gate.
 12. The circuitaccording to claim 7, wherein the first floating gate extends above aportion of the vertical selection gate, over a non-zero overlap distancefrom a first plane, aligned with a side edge of the first floating gateand extending through an interior of the vertical selection gate, to asecond plane aligned with a side edge of the vertical selection gate.13. The circuit according to claim 7, comprising a programming circuitconfigured to program the first and second memory cells, the programmingcircuit being configured to apply electric potentials to the substrate,to the vertical selection gate, to the horizontal first control gate andto drain and source regions of the first memory cell, such thatelectrons circulate in a vertical channel region extending opposite thevertical selection gate and are injected into the first floating gate inan injection zone situated in a horizontal channel region extendingopposite the first floating gate.
 14. The circuit according to claim 7,comprising an erasing circuit configured to erase the first and secondmemory cells by tunnel effect, the erasing circuit being configured toapply electric potentials to the vertical selection gate and thehorizontal first control gate of the first memory cell, such thatelectric charges are extracted from the first floating gate andcollected by the vertical selection gate through the first protuberanceof the first floating gate and the first dielectric layer portionextending between the first protuberance and the vertical selectiongate.
 15. A method, comprising: manufacturing on a semiconductorsubstrate an electrically programmable memory cell, the manufacturingincluding: forming a vertical selection gate extending in a trench madein a semiconductor substrate; forming a floating gate extending on thesubstrate, wherein the floating gate has a protuberance which extendsbeneath an upper surface of the substrate; forming a horizontal controlgate extending above the floating gate; and forming a first dielectriclayer positioned within the substrate and between the protuberance ofthe floating gate and the vertical selection gate.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein forming the vertical selection gateincludes: etching the trench in the substrate, and after depositing inthe trench a second dielectric layer, depositing on the substrate afirst conductive layer and etching the first conductive layer to formthe vertical selection gate extending in the trench.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 16, comprising making, in the substrate, a hollowextending beneath the surface of the substrate and opposite to a portionof the vertical selection gate, wherein: forming the first dielectriclayer includes forming a tunnel dielectric layer that also extends onthe upper surface of the substrate, and forming the floating gateincludes: depositing on the first dielectric layer a second conductivelayer, and etching the second conductive layer so as to form thefloating gate, in which the floating gate partially overlaps thevertical selection gate over a non-zero overlap distance from a firstplane, aligned with a side edge of the floating gate and extendingthrough an interior of the vertical selection gate, to a second planealigned with a side edge of the vertical selection gate.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein the second conductive layer is etchedfrom a photolithography layout defining between the first plane and thesecond plane a theoretical overlap distance at least equal to aphotolithography tolerance of the manufacturing method.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 15, comprising: producing in the first dielectriclayer, a thicker region situated near the upper surface of thesubstrate. making a hollow in the thicker region of the first dielectriclayer D1, wherein the hollow is formed so as to extend beneath thesurface of the substrate and the protuberance extends in the hollow andhas a face opposite a portion of the vertical selection gate.
 20. Themethod according to claim 19, wherein: producing the thicker region ofthe first dielectric layer includes growing a second dielectric layer onthe substrate, the growing causing the first dielectric layer to expandin the thicker region; and making the hollow includes etching the seconddielectric layer and the thicker region of the first dielectric layer.